Quick Action by Family, EMS, and Intermountain Health Caregivers Saves Life of Montana Mother After Cardiac Arrest
When Desha Futrell collapsed in her kitchen in Miles City, Montana, on April 24, it was the quick actions of her family, and the coordinated response of local first responders and medical professionals that saved her life.
Her children immediately called 911 and Miles City Police officer Erik Slotsve was first on the scene.
As an EMT, Slotsve began CPR when emergency medical services arrived, when they could no longer find Futrell’s pulse.
The Miles City Fire & Rescue team used a defibrillator to restore her heartbeat and ready her for transfer to the hospital. Slotsve credits the collaboration between the two agencies for the quick, seamless response.
Futrell also suffered a head injury when she collapsed.
She was taken to Intermountain Health Holy Rosary Hospital, where she was stabilized before being flown to its sister facility, Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings, Montana, for advanced care.
“In Desha’s case, from the initial 911 call to the first responders and the emergency team at Holy Rosary, the process moved quickly and efficiently to give her the best chance at survival and recovery,” said Lisa Foley, trauma program manager, at St. Vincent Regional Hospital. “In emergency and trauma care, every second counts.”
Doctors later determined Futrell experienced ventricular fibrillation, a sudden, dangerous change in heart rhythm that prevents the heart from pumping effectively and can lead to cardiac arrest. At. St Vincent, she had an implantable defibrillator placed in her chest to protect against future cardiac events. After six days in the hospital in Billings, she was able to return to Miles City for recovery at home.
Just a few months after her incident, Futrell is slowly recovering and coming to terms with everything she and her family have been through.
“I’m mostly grateful that the Lord spared my life,” she said. “And grateful for everyone who worked together so quickly to help me.”
Futrell is continuing her recovery through physical therapy and cardiac rehabilitation to rebuild her strength and stamina at Holy Rosary and has follow-up care with heart and neurological specialists at Intermountain Health to support her on her recovery. Although she has lingering effects from both her heart event and head injury suffered in the fall, Futrell says she is grateful for the progress she continues to make
“It’s a slow recovery,” she said. “But everyone is encouraging and saying that it is going really well. I just have to remind myself that it hasn’t been that long.”
“Desha has come so far already, and we enjoy working with her,” said Pam Hurr, RN, a nurse on the Intermountain Holy Rosary Cardiac Rehabilitation team. “We look forward to seeing her get back to 100% and get back to living life to her fullest. She has worked hard and we look at her as a walking miracle."
Futrell is sharing her story to recognize the lifesaving role of first responders in the care they provide from early CPR, rapid defibrillation and seamless coordination with hospital care teams.
“Officer Slotsve stopped by our house the week I got home to check in on me and my family,” she said. “That was very nice, and I am grateful for him.”
Officer Slostve was also grateful for the chance to connect with Futrell and her family.
“We don’t always get a chance to see patients and community members we help,” he said. “I really was shocked to be there talking with her. I also wanted to check on her family. Her kids did amazing during the incident.”
"Officer Slotsve demonstrated professionalism and decisive action while responding to this residence. Miles City Fire and Rescue arrived shortly after, and responders used an AED on the patient. Through their swift response, skill and composure under pressure, they saved a life,” said Doug Colombik, chief of police at the Miles City Police Department. “Officer Slotsve's actions reflect the highest standards of service, dedication and commitment to our community.”
Emergency medicine physicians and caregivers at Intermountain Health say cases like Futrell’s highlight how critical every minute is during emergency and trauma and how survival depends on community members and professionals acting with courage and skill.
As part of the partnership, Intermountain Holy Rosary partners with the Miles City Police Department to provide Automated External Defibrillators, ensuring that all first responders have lifesaving equipment in the field when serving the community.
“Trauma and emergency care are team sports,” Foley said. “We are so proud to work side-by-side with our first responders who deliver immediate life-saving care to stabilize patients to get them to the necessary level of care as soon as possible.”